Chapter 7 is here. School starts next Tuesday, so the chapters might come a bit slower, but I'll write when I get the chance. Thank-you again to my beta L.A Cornelius, and check out her stories - they're great.
I dedicate this chapter to my new friends A and N.
Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Labyrinth. It belongs to Jim Henson and Co.
The Connection
Chapter Seven – The Connection
"A hidden connection is stronger than an obvious one."
– Heraclitus of Ephesus
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As Sarah rolled over, she felt the hot sun on her. She groaned and pulled the blankets over her head, hoping to block out the sun. After five minutes of lying there, she got up. She rubbed her eyes, and stretched. She looked out of the window. The whole labyrinth was in her sight. It was so big, she could see everything.
After getting bathed, she got dressed. She remembered Jareth saying that she wasn't allowed to wear a dress. So she chose the clothes she wore when she arrived.
Sarah checked the clock on the bedside table. What could she do for an hour?
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"Alright, everybody ready?" Jareth asked as Gavan and Sarah followed him outside the castle gates, and they stopped in front of three horses.
Sarah gulped. "Are we riding horses?" She asked, looking a bit afraid.
"I thought that would be obvious, Sarah," Jareth said, as he mounted himself on a chestnut brown horse. "Do you know how to ride?"
"Yes, but−"
"Well, then get on, and hurry up," he interrupted her, and was impatient to start riding.
Sarah felt Gavan's hand on her shoulder and he whispered in her ear. "Ignore him. He's just a bit snappy today, though, I don't know why." He moved away from her and went to a white horse. That left Sarah with the black one.
After letting the horse know that she wasn't going to hurt him, she climbed up and got herself comfortable.
Jareth rode over to where Sarah and Gavan and their horses were. "Ok, a few rules. Firstly, you cannot ride in front of me. Secondly, do not try to jump any logs or big objects in our way; we don't have time for playing around. And lastly, try to keep up with me, I do not care for slow-pokes," he ordered. Both Sarah and Gavan nodded, and they set off riding.
As they were riding, Sarah was awed by the change in scenery. One minute it was like a desert, then the next it was green like the Amazon Rainforest. Though, she mentally kicked herself for forgetting that things are not what they seem. Sarah found out from Gavan that Jarethwas a professional horse rider. Sarah had lessons when she was twelve, she was a little bit rusty at the start of the ride, but soon go into it.
They finally arrived at their destination. It was a little village, right in the middle of a forest. Sarah could see children playing all around the village. There were little cottages, and a beautiful pond with a waterfall.
Jareth was the first one off his horse and Sarah and Gavan followed after. Jareth motioned them to follow him. They walked out of the village and were in the middle of a forest. They walked for a few minutes before they found themselves standing outside a little cottage.
It was a brown cottage that a lot of flowers in the garden. Sarah guessed that the cottage belongs to a woman. They went up to door and Jareth knocked, and they stepped back from the old door.
"Ah. Just the people I was expecting," a male voice was heard as the door opened.
Sarah was feeling a bit scared not knowing who the person was. She couldn't see who he was because there was little light in the cottage.
The figure stepped out of the door way and into the light outside. Sarah bit her lip when she saw him come out. It was an old man, who could be in his late fifties early sixties if he was in the Above. His hair was a light grey colour that flowed down to his shoulders.
"Nice to see you again, Jareth," he said, smiling at Jareth.
Jareth nodded, and smiled also. "And it's nice to see you again too, Alton."
Alton chuckled. "Well, it has been a century."
Sarah gasped, and then bowed her head in embarrassment when all three men looked at her. As she kept her head down she saw that there were feet not too far away from hers. She lifted her head and was face-to-face with Alton. His eyes were a sparkling blue.
"And you are Sarah," he stated. She bit her lip, and nodded. He broke eye contact with her and stepped back. "Let's go inside."
They followed him into the little cottage. When Sarah stepped through the door way she couldn't believe it. The cottage looked small on the outside but inside it was like a Victorian castle. Wow, she thought. She felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Not what you expected, right?" asked Jareth, smirking.
"No, nothing like I had in mind," she whispered. "How is it so big in here?"
"Magic, very simple magic," he took his hand off her shoulder and joined Alton in the lounge room. "So, Alton, how have you been?"
"Old," he joked. "Actual, Emily and I have spent several years travelling the Underground and Above," he answered as Sarah and Gavan sat down.
Gavan cleared his throat. "Alton, we need your help with something that has happened."
Alton held up his hand. "Wait, let me guess. You need help with something that happened to Sarah, and that something is what you think is a myth or even a prophecy."
Sarah's mouth dropped open. "How do you know that?"
Alton smirked. "I know that because, dear girl, I am a wizard who can see into the future. And I can also look into your mind, but I wouldn't do that to you."
"So, Alton, can you help us?" asked Jareth, as he sat Indian style on the chair.
Alton nodded, and clasped his hands together. "Sure. Let's start at the beginning."
Jareth, Sarah and Gavan proceeded to tell him what happened, and also explaining the myth and their theories about it.
"And that's why we are here," Jareth concluded.
Alton nodded his head slowly, and closed his eyes briefly. "Ok, Jareth you were correct about your theory." His eyes flew open and landed on Sarah. "Sarah is prophesied. This prophecy is called The Connection and it's a very rare one that only happens to certain people who fall in love – real love," he explained. "Nobody knows what the Connection feels like and that what makes it a rare prophecy."
Sarah couldn't speak. Jareth's theory was true. She was prophesied, she was destined to fall in real love, and it could be with anyone.
There was silence as everyone took in the news.
After a few minutes of silence, Gavan spoke up. "One thing that I don't get is that in the book it said that there was an owl looking over a girl in the above. Would Sarah only be prophesied to the Fae that can transform into owls?"
Alton cocked his head, and thought on the question. He looked over to Jareth who was twirling a crystal ball in his hands. He looked back at Gavan again, and shrugged. "I do not know, Gavan. There are some things that we should not know when it comes to fate or destiny; you have to let it run its course."
Jareth discarded his crystal, yawned and then stood up from the lounge chair. "We have been here for over three hours, and I think it's time to we returned to the castle."
"Oh, yes, of course," said Alton as he got up from the lounge, along with Sarah and Gavan. "It was nice meeting you, Sarah."
She smiled in return as they shook hands. "It was nice meeting you, too."
"Sarah, remember that things are not what they are seem. You'll know when you feel the Connection, and it could happen at anytime with anyone." He explained.
He turned to Gavan and said his goodbyes, then turned to Jareth as Gavan walked out with Sarah. He noticed Jareth looking out the window. Alton stared at him, and smirked. Jareth turned as if knowing Alton's eyes were on him.
"What?" Jareth asked, annoyed.
Alton shook his head and chuckled. "Nothing. You should leave now, before Jacquie gets worried about Gavan."
Jareth groaned. "You really need to stay out of people's heads," he snapped, and walked outside to the horses.
"Well, it was really nice to see you again, Jareth."
"Yeah, it was." He gave Alton a pat on the back. "Tell Emily I said hello," he said as he mounted himself on his horse.
"Sure. Have a good trip back," Alton waved goodbye and went back into the cottage.
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Gavan flopped down onto his bed, and closed his eyes. He was too tired to remove the covers beneath him. Seconds, minutes, and hours could've passed, he didn't know, he felt pressure on the bed. Knowing it was Jacqueline he turned to face her, with eyes still closed, and felt her hand on his.
"Rough day?" She asked as she laced her fingers in his.
He sighed. "Long day," he answered. He moved his free hand to rub her stomach. "Is Paige in bed?"
"Yes. Jareth put her down to bed, knowing that we're both tired."
As Gavan continued to rub her stomach, he opened his eyes and looked up at Jacqueline. "Cillian," he said simply.*
"What?" Jacqueline asked, opening her eyes slightly.
"Cillian, a name for the baby. I saw it in a baby book, in the library a few days ago. I can't believe I forgot," he said as he sat up.
Jacqueline looked away as she contemplated. "Cillian," she tested the name on her lips. She looked back at Gavan. "Alright, it sounds good." She smiled.
Gavan smiled also and leaned in to kiss peck her lips. "It's late, you should go to sleep."
Jacqueline leaned into his embrace. "Only if you come with me," she replied against his chest.
Gavan laughed with his wife as they snuggled in the bed.
*Cillian is pronounced Kil-lian, named after the handsome actor Cillian Murphy.
